‘Use bye-laws to enforce sanitation’ – Minister to inaugurated Okere District Assembly

Minister of roads and highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has charged members of the newly inaugurated members of the Okere District Assembly to resort to the use of its bye-laws to ensure compliance in sanitation management and environmental health standards and rules.

Mr. Amoako-Atta who sat in as a Special Guest of Honour was speaking on behalf of the president, Nana Akuffo Addo when he inaugurated the Okere District Assembly.

The lands minister said, this if done, will ensure a clean and healthy environment.

“I charge your assembly to use its bye-laws to enforce compliance in sanitation management and environmental health standards and rules to ensure a clean and healthy environment,” said the minister.

He reminded the assembly that the Act empowers the assemblies to make bye-laws to address issues of waste management, licensing and monitoring environmental service providers, solid waste collection and management and any other matters that demand local regulations in order to achieve a clean and healthy environment.

Quoting section 12(3) (f) of the local governance Act, 2016 (Act963) to buttress his call, the lands minister said the assembly shall be responsible for the development, improvement and management of human settlements and the environment in the district.

21 assembly members and 10 government appointees formed part of the new Assembly, inaugurated at the forecourts of the Okere District Assembly created in accordance with the 1992 constitution and Local Governance Act, 2016, (Act936).

The 31 assembly members, were sworn into office by Her Worship, Diana Anane.

Election of presiding member.

Former PM, Mr. Kantinka Addi maintained his position in the assembly as presiding member. Mr. Kantinka who stood unopposed was overwhelmingly confirmed by the assembly to continue his position.

The PM expressed his profound gratitude to the chiefs and assembly members for the confidence reposed in him and urged all to unite for the development of Okere.

Acting Nifahene who also chaired the occasion, Osarima Opese Kumdu was thankful to the president for listening to the request of the people and ensuring that Okere had its own district to facilitate the development of the district.

Other dignitaries present at the inauguration were the district chief executive for Okere, Mr. Daniel Kenneth, Okere District Coordinating Director, Alhaji Seidu Abanga, the Okere District Police Commander, DSP Seth Kwaku Danso, District Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdul Razak, Opinion Leaders, and Traditional Leaders.